A stunning new MacBook from Apple stole the show at the launch of the company’s smartwatch on Monday. The new, ultra-thin notebook computer, which is 24% thinner than the MacBook Air, weighs just over 900g and packs in Intel’s fifth-generation Core M processor.
“This is the most extreme and efficient notebook we have ever created,” CEO Tim Cook told an audience in San Francisco. At its thickest point, the new laptop, which sports a 12-inch high-definition display, is 13,1mm thick.
The computer is the first from Apple that does not have a fan to cool the processor.
Apple has shrunk the size of the computer’s motherboard by two-thirds compared to the MacBook Air’s and used the extra space to pack in a redesigned battery that fills most of the machine’s available internal space.
The new MacBook, which has an all-metal enclosure, will be available in the same light gold colour that already adorns its iPads and iPhones. It will also ship in grey and silver.
Controversially, the computer has only one port — USB-C — which charges the computer and doubles as a video output and USB 3 data transfer port. Presumably the adapters consumers will need for compatibility will be optional extras.
The machine has a full-sized, edge-to-edge keyboard that Apple redesigned to fit into the thin chassis. Each key is individually back-lit.
A new “force touch” trackpad includes four “force sensors” and a “taptic engine”. The sensors detect a range of pressures, from light clicks through to deeper presses. A new gesture for deeper presses, called the “force click”, has a range of applications, including previewing the contents of documents by clicking on their icons.
Unsurprisingly, the new MacBook has a high-density display with a resolution of 2 304×1 440 pixels.
The machine will go on sale on 10 April “in a number of countries”. There’s no immediate word on a South African launch date.
Two models will be available at launch, one with a 256GB solid-state drive (US$1 299), and a more expensive model with a 512GB drive and a slightly faster processor ($1 599). Both machines will ship with 8GB of RAM.
Apple’s smartwatch
Of course, the main reason for Monday’s keynote was the launch of the Apple Watch, the company’s first new product category since the iPad.
There were few surprises here as Cook walked through the three models announced late last year. At the entry level is the Apple Watch Sport, made of aluminium, and aimed at those wanting to use the device to track their exercise.
The Apple Watch Sport comes in silver and grey, with a range of colourful bands, and is available in 38mm and 42mm sizes. The 38mm costs $349, while the larger version is $50 more.
The midrange device, simply called Apple Watch, is made of stainless steel. The 38mm version starts at $549, going up to $1 099 depending on the watch band chosen. The larger version starts at $599.
At the very high end is the $10 000 Apple Watch Edition, which is made of 18-carat gold.
All models must be paired with an iPhone to work.
Apple’s new smartwatch line-up will not be available in South Africa at launch, which will happen in a handful of international markets on 24 April. — © 2015 NewsCentral Media
